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Tributes paid to man who served as town clerk in Stamford and Chief Inspector of Rutland




Tributes have been paid to a man, who served as a town clerk in Stamford and the Chief Inspector of Rutland.

Anthony Wain died in the early hours of July 25. He was 86-years-old.

His granddaughter Emily said that in his many roles, Anthony, of Tony, had touched the lives of many.

Anthony Wain when he was town clerk of Stamford
Anthony Wain when he was town clerk of Stamford

Tony joined the Leicestershire Police Force in 1953, after spending three years as a soldier in the army where his commanding officer described him as “trustworthy, intelligent and with plenty of initiative”.

Tony started his career in the police force in the traffic division, before being promoted to traffic sergeant and later a sergeant in the CID. He then worked in the police dog section and was promoted to station inspector at Charles Street Leicester.

A year after he received a long service and good conduct medal in 1978, he left Leicestershire Police Force to become Chief Inspector of Rutland.

One of Anthony Wain's proudest moments - shaking the hand of the Queen on her visit to Rutland in November 1984
One of Anthony Wain's proudest moments - shaking the hand of the Queen on her visit to Rutland in November 1984

Tony then retired from the police force in March 1985 and after a few years of retirement, he become the town clerk of Stamford, a position he held for 10 years.

Emily said that Tony’s fascinating tales of his time in the police force could “fill a whole book and it still wouldn’t do his service justice”.

She said: “Anyone who knew Tony, and especially those who served under him within his police department, would describe him as a very strong-willed gentleman but a fair leader with compassion.”

A favourite memory of Tony’s was flagging down a hearse for a lift when the police car broke down in the Leicestershire countryside. As a joke one of his colleagues lay where the coffin would be placed and at a set of traffic lights, the colleague sat up quickly - much to the shock of those travelling in the car behind! The expression on their faces of shock filled Tony with laughter every time he thought about it.

Anthony Wain with his wife Joan when he received the medal of long service and good conduct in 1978
Anthony Wain with his wife Joan when he received the medal of long service and good conduct in 1978

During his time with the police, Tony met the Queen on many occasions including on a visit to Rutland on November 17, 1984, when he was responsible for her protection. A photograph of Tony shaking the Queen’s hand on this momentous day would later hold prime place on the wall at his home in Tinwell.

Tony and his wife were later invited to Buckingham Palace for a garden party and he was also awarded an OBE by the Queen for his service.

After Tony and his family moved to Rutland, he joined the Rutland Rotary Club, allowing his family to become involved in local life.

Anthony Wain when he worked as a police traffic officer
Anthony Wain when he worked as a police traffic officer

He served as secretary and president twice, as well as receiving an award for outstanding service. In all the years he was with the club, he only ever missed one dinner.

As a member of the club, he always volunteered at an event called Kids Out, which gave disabled children a respite day at Wicksteed Park.

The Rotary club provided a lunch for the children and Tony would always bring his wife Joan’s famous flapjack, as well as supporting the event financially.

After Joan died in June 2015, his youngest granddaughter Emily continued the tradition and kept the infamous flapjacks coming.

It was a regular occurrence for Tony to be stopped in the street, or while browsing Stamford Market early on a Friday morning and for him to be embraced and thanked for his previous kindness.

His main love though was his wife Joan, who he met at a Ladies Excuse-Me Dance at the Leicester Palais de Dance in 1951.

Anthony Wain when he was working with the dog unit for Leicestershire Police
Anthony Wain when he was working with the dog unit for Leicestershire Police

They were married at Glenfield Church on July 26, 1952 and spent their honeymoon in Blackpool, before Tony had to fly away to Egypt with the army in which they exchanged regular letters. Joan would also include photos taken by her brother so Tony wouldn’t forget what she looked like.

By the time Tony returned from the army, Joan had saved all of their earnings and they had enough money to put down a deposit on a house to start a family. They had two children, Stephen and Teresa and every year, although money was tight, they made it their mission to ensure that the children always had a holiday in Cornwall.

After Joan’s death, Tony focused his energies on seeing his grandchildren grow.

Poignantly, Tony died suddenly just one day before their 68th wedding anniversary and Emily said the family are taking comfort in the “inspirational” couple being reunited.

As well as his two children, Tony leaves seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

  • Anthony Wain's funeral will be held on August 18. Numbers are limited due to the current circumstances but a video link is being set up. For details call Andrew Woodhouse funeral directors on 01780 751719.


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